Abuja — Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and an elder statesman, Alhaji Maitama Sule, in Abuja on Thursday, called on the international community to support the liberation of the Western Sahara, stressing that the gross violation of human rights in the Western Sahara by Morocco was condemnable.

President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Abdulwaheed Omar, as well as the elder statesman while speaking at the inaugural launch of the Nigerian Movement in Solidarity with the Western Sahara people, said it was sad that there was still one part of Africa under another country.

Omar called on well-meaning Nigerians and non-governmental organisations to enlist in the movement to increase the voice for change in Western Sahara.

For the elder statesman, Nigeria has been part and parcel of the fight for liberation in so many African countries that are now independent, and called on the federal government to help support the Saharawis in their fight to be liberated from the Moroccans.

According to them, the world can never be governed by force, nor fear; what governs is the mind and what conquers is the spirit.

The weapon for governing the mind and conquering the spirit, they said, were justice and fair play.

"We have this belief that power can remain in the hands of an unbeliever if he is just and fair, but it will not remain in the hands of a believer if he is unfair and unjust. I, therefore, call on fellow Nigerians to help the Saharawis in their fight for independence," he said.

They, however, assured the Saharawis of total commitment and support of Nigeria, Africa and the world in general, saying, " Let me assure you brothers and sisters of We the world is on your side."

He said the movement was aimed at challenging the local and international press and the public to rise to the calls and cries of the Western Sahara by taking actions that would bring them justice.

"We also want to call on the Nigerian government to renew her commitment to pursuing justice for the Saharawis through the African Union and the United Nations.

" The Congress is committed to using this Nigerian Solidarity Movement in support of the Saharawis to promote national awareness and mobilisation for action," he said.

Omar also called on international counterparts and partners within and outside the African continent to queue behind the demands of the Saharawis.